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Book Details
Abstract
The experience of loss and the healing process of grief are fundamental parts of being human. Written by acclaimed author Neil Thompson, Grief and its Challenges provides a theoretically rich and emotionally compassionate introduction to this complex topic.
Incorporating both traditional and newer viewpoints, this book explores how grieving has been theorized and explains the many social as well as personal factors affecting how individuals encounter, interpret and respond to grief. Brief but telling vignettes show how theory works in practice across a wide variety of grieving experiences, from bereavement and trauma to
the breakdown of a relationship or losing a job.
This text provides holistic understanding as well as guidance on how to respond to the bereaved and grieving. It is essential reading for trainees and practitioners in counselling, psychotherapy, social work and nursing looking to make sense of issues around loss, trauma and grief, and give skilled, sensitive support.
NEIL THOMPSON is a highly respected writer, teacher and adviser, with over 33 years ofexperience in the people professions. He has held full or honorary professorships at four UK universities, and is now a sought after trainer, consultant and conference speaker. He is the editor-in-chief of two online communities: Well-being Zone (www.wellbeingzone.com) and Social Work Focus (www.socialworkfocus.com). His personal website is at www.neilthompson.info.
'The book, Grief and its Challenges, by Neil Thompson is a timely, groundbreaking accomplishment by an eminent scholar with a style of writing that is accessible to any reader. We are all touched by death and grief. This book is compassionately and conceptually sophisticated, and yet it is able to offer the reader a clear, useful approach to managing grief and loss. It is destined to become a classic for those concerned about grief and its management, which should include all of us.'
- Gerry R. Cox, Professor Emeritus, Center for Death Education & Bioethics, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, USA'Neil Thompson is a gifted author, counselor, teacher and advocate. As I read Grief and its Challenges, I found a mirror, reflecting the words back to me as my story. This book is a fine resource with the traditional basics and also refreshing adaptations to today's losses. The book, which includes exercises and simple assignments, will be a great teaching and counseling tool.'
- Richard B. Gilbert, PhD, CT, Mercy College, New York,USA,and The World Pastoral Care Center'Understanding the challenging and complex issues of grief and loss requires sensitivity, sophistication and skill. Neil Thompson has achieved all of these in this latest book Grief and its Challenges. Theoretically rich and emotionally compassionate, this book offers insights for theory and practice for social and health care professionals, students, and all those with interested in grief and loss.' -
Dr Jan Pascal, La Trobe University, La Trobe Rural Health School, Victoria, Australia'An excellent book which presents a range of complex issues in an accessible way. It is an erudite, scholarly but practice focussed work. A welcome addition to the literature, it clearly informs readers, while deeply enhancing their learning and understanding.' - Bernard Moss, Emeritus Professor of Social Work Education and Spirituality, Staffordshire University, UK.
'A highly readable text that offers a new perspective on the development of an understanding of grief and the challenges that it poses for the individual, as well as the professional helpers who may be in contact with the grieving person. It is an excellent text.' - Paula Smith, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of Bath
Table of Contents
| Section Title | Page | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cover\r | Cove | ||
| Contents | vii | ||
| List of Figures | x | ||
| Preface | xi | ||
| Acknowledgements | xvi | ||
| About the author | xviii | ||
| Introduction | 1 | ||
| Part I: Making sense of grief | 15 | ||
| Introduction | 15 | ||
| 1 Loss and grief | 17 | ||
| Introduction | 17 | ||
| Key terms | 17 | ||
| Traditional theories of grief | 21 | ||
| Contemporary theories of grief | 29 | ||
| Breadth and depth | 33 | ||
| Conclusion | 36 | ||
| 2 Crisis and trauma | 38 | ||
| Introduction | 38 | ||
| Crisis | 38 | ||
| Trauma | 45 | ||
| Grief, crisis and trauma | 48 | ||
| Conclusion | 52 | ||
| 3 The Social Context | 55 | ||
| Introduction | 55 | ||
| Beyond the psychological | 55 | ||
| The cultural context | 60 | ||
| The structural context | 64 | ||
| Grief in social context | 68 | ||
| Conclusion | 70 | ||
| Part II: Grief and healing\r | 73 | ||
| Introduction | 73 | ||
| 4 Experiencing grief | 75 | ||
| Introduction | 75 | ||
| Cognitive reactions | 76 | ||
| Emotional reactions | 79 | ||
| Behavioural reactions | 82 | ||
| Physical reactions | 85 | ||
| Spiritual reactions | 86 | ||
| Conclusion | 88 | ||
| 5 Responding to Grief I: the personal response | 91 | ||
| Introduction | 91 | ||
| Universal grief | 91 | ||
| Emotional intelligence | 96 | ||
| Self-care | 99 | ||
| Conclusion | 104 | ||
| 6 Responding to Grief II: the professional response | 106 | ||
| Introduction | 106 | ||
| Being there | 107 | ||
| Assessing and managing risk | 112 | ||
| Practical help | 115 | ||
| Healing | 117 | ||
| Conclusion | 119 | ||
| Part III Grief without healing | 123 | ||
| Introduction | 123 | ||
| 7 Complications in grieving | 125 | ||
| Introduction | 125 | ||
| Grief, pressure and stress | 126 | ||
| The nature of the loss experience | 129 | ||
| Vulnerability factors | 134 | ||
| Unhelpful reactions to the loss | 137 | ||
| The effects of complicated grief | 138 | ||
| Responding to complicated grief | 139 | ||
| Conclusion | 141 | ||
| 8 Grief and psychological problems | 143 | ||
| Introduction | 143 | ||
| Stress, crisis and trauma | 143 | ||
| Identity | 145 | ||
| Inward emotion | 149 | ||
| Outward emotion | 152 | ||
| Conclusion | 155 | ||
| 9 Grief and social problems | 158 | ||
| Introduction | 158 | ||
| Social problems: a psychosocial approach | 158 | ||
| Crime and imprisonment | 162 | ||
| Abuse | 163 | ||
| Social alienation and disaffection | 165 | ||
| Violence | 166 | ||
| Educational failure | 167 | ||
| Family breakdown | 168 | ||
| Homelessness | 169 | ||
| Interconnections | 171 | ||
| Conclusion | 173 | ||
| Conclusion | 176 | ||
| Guide to further learning | 180 | ||
| Further reading | 180 | ||
| Journals | 185 | ||
| Training and development resources | 186 | ||
| Websites | 186 | ||
| References | 187 | ||
| Index | 195 |